Drink problem or drinking problem

[Rich7]

Test No. incompl/advan-64 "Pay and Allowances", question 2

Although he knew it was a sensitive subject, his boss had to ask him the ......... question about his drink problem.

(a) sincere
(b) fragile
(c) breakable
(d) delicate

Test No. incompl/advan-64 "Pay and Allowances", answer 2

Although he knew it was a sensitive subject, his boss had to ask him the delicate question about his drink problem.

Correct answer: (d) delicate

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

Can we also say "drinking problem"? or are these different?

[Torsten]

I guess a drink problem is as bad as a drinking problem.

TOEIC listening, photographs: Machu Picchu, Peru

[Zhangbaixiang]

What is "delicate question"?
What does the sentence mean?

thanks
_________________
I have a dream and I want to know the secret of time and universe.

[OxfordBlues]

Drink problem has become prevalent in the UK over the past 30-40 years, but grammatically only the gerund drinking can be used as an adjective (type of problem) or even if reworded, a noun for an activity (problem with drinking). For anyone outside the UK "drink problem" would refer to a situation in which something is wrong with your drink (say a fly in your Coke or whiskey in your vodka tonic).

@Zhang

In this case delicate means something that could likely make the person uncomfortable or embarrased.
_________________
There's no such thing as an exception to the rule...

My blog: http://calleteach.wordpress.com